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Getting around Perth

Perth is an easy city to get around. The metropolitan area has a great range of options for public transport, driving, and walking. This practical information on Perth’s public transport system will make moving around the city very simple.

Public transport

To use public transport including buses, trains, and ferries in Perth, it’s recommended that you purchase a Transperth Smartrider card. You can purchase a Smartrider card for a $10 deposit at Transperth InfoCentres, or from convenience stores, newsagents, and at some bus and train stations throughout the city. Once you have the Smartrider card, a 10% discount to your fares and a daily cap of $12.60 will be automatically applied when you travel.

Initially you’ll need to load the Smartrider card with some money (there is a $10 minimum) to cover your fares. For travel within the city, fares should be between $2.80 - $4.70 per ride. To start your ride, tap your card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.

Trains

Perth’s rail network is a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs. Within the city centre, there is a free transit zone for trains travelling in the area between City West, Elizabeth Quay, and Claisebrook stations. To take advantage of the free fares, you must use a Smartrider card. Within the free transit zone, you can reach attractions including the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum, and destinations such as Northbridge.

From major stations in the city including Perth Station and Elizabeth Quay Station, you can catch a train to reach destinations such as Fremantle and Cottesloe Beach.

Buses

Perth has free bus services in the city centre and in Freemantle. There are multiple bus loops which depart every 5-15 minutes between 6AM and 7PM most days. These buses are particularly useful for travel between Perth or Freemantle’s downtown hotels and attractions.

Public bus services will take you from Perth Busport or Elizabeth Street Bus Station to attractions further out of the city center. Catch the 935 bus to reach Kings Park & Botanic Garden, or the 30/31 bus to get to Perth Zoo. These services run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day.

Ferries

With a Smartrider card, you can catch a public ferry across the Swan River. From Elizabeth Quay Jetty, a ferry departs for Mends Street Jetty every 15-30 minutes between 6:30AM and 11:30PM. This is a great way to access Perth Zoo.

It’s easy to access Rottnest Island via a private ferry. From Perth, you can catch the Rottnest Express from Barrack Street ferry terminal which has one daily departure and costs $81 return. From Fremantle, the Rottnest Express has 6 daily departures and the SeaLink ferry has 6 daily departures in summer or 2-4 daily departures at other times of the year, and each cost between $42 - $47 return.

Getting to and from the airport

Public buses are an easy way to get to Perth Airport from the city. From Elizabeth Quay Station in downtown, take the 380 bus to get to Terminals 1 and 2, or the 40 bus for Terminals 3 and 4. Each of these bus services run approximately every half hour. You can use the Smartrider card to pay for this airport service, which costs the same as a regular bus fare within the city.

Accessible transport options

In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using a wheelchair or mobility device. Perth Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. The majority of buses and trains have accessible options - check the Transperth website for information on using public transport before your trip.

Forget drab days and bleak landscapes. Winter in Western Australia breaks all the stereotypes. From June until September, more than 12,000 wildflower species explode across the state. Follow their vivid trail to Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim with whale sharks and snorkel over tropical fish and coral. Capture their life-affirming colour in rugged Kalbarri National Park, near Geraldton, or in sculpted Kings Park in Perth. Let them lead you to the waves, caves and wineries of Margaret River. Walk with them through soaring karri forests on the Bibbulmun Track or take in their dazzling diversity from Albany. Do wildflower day walks, join longer tours or celebrate the blooms with the locals at any of the many festivals.

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